Summary

In order to validate a maximal multistage 20-m shuttle run test for the prediction of \(\dot V\)O2 max, 91 adults (32 females and 59 males, aged 27.3±9.2 and 24.8±5.5 year respectively and with mean \(\dot V\)O2 max (± SD) of 39.3±8.3 and 51.6±7.8 ml·kg−1·min−1 respectively) performed the test and had \(\dot V\)O2 max estimated by the retroextrapolation method (extrapolation to time zero of recovery of the exponential least squares regression of the first four 20-s recovery \(\dot V\)O2 values). Starting at 8 km·h−1 and increasing by 0.5 km·h−1 every 2 min, the 20-m shuttle run test enabled prediction of the \(\dot V\)O2 max (y, ml·kg−1·min−1) from the maximal speed (x, km·h−1) by means of the following regression equation: y=5.857x — 19.458; r=0.84 and SEE=5.4. Later, the multistage protocol was slightly modified to its final version, in which the test started at stage 7 Met and continued with a 1 Met (3.5 ml O2·kg−1·min−1) increment every 2 min. Twenty-five of the 91 subjects performed the 20-m shuttle test twice, once on a hard, low-friction surface (vinyl-asbestos tiles) and another time on a rubber floor, as well as a walking maximal multistage test on an inclined treadmill. There was no difference between the means of these tests or between the slopes of the \(\dot V\)O2max — maximal speed regressions for the two types of surfaces. The 20-m shuttle run test and another maximal multistage field test involving continuous track running gave comparable results (r=0.92, SEE=2.6 ml O2·kg−1·min−1, n=70). Finally, test and retest of the 20-m shuttle run test also yielded comparable results (r=0.975, SEE=2.0 ml O2·kg−1·min−1, n=50). It is concluded that the 20-m shuttle run test is a valid and reliable test for the prediction of the \(\dot V\)O2 max of male and female adults, individually or in groups, on most gymnasium surfaces.